Active and passive voice

Passive voice A verb is passive if the subject of the sentence RECIEVES the action. Example: Octavius was given a huge hand by the audience after the recital. Subject = Octavius Verb = given Is the subject receiving the action? YES – PASSIVE.

Active voice A verb is active if the subject of the sentence PERFORMS the action. Example: The audience gave Octavius a huge hand after the recital. Subject = audience Verb = gave Is the subject performing/doing the action? YES - ACTIVE

Generally… A sentence is less wordy and more interesting when the subject is the DOER and not the RECIEVER. Using the active voice paints a picture in the reader’s mind. Because Cousin Wainwright wears underwear that is too tight, his face is always white. Because underwear that’s too tight is worn by Cousin Wainwright, his face is always white.

Sometimes passive is better… If the performer isn’t known or isn’t the most important part of the sentence Attention all shoppers! A finger was found in the power tools department. To claim it, please report to the courtesy booth. (The finger finder is unknown.) Orpal’s pet scorpion has been found, so the class can relax. (The main focus is the scorpion; no one cares who found the critter.)

Sometimes passive voice can hide blame… When the government discovers that it’s spending $650 a piece for thumbtacks… Mistakes have been made. Passive voice is often found in legal documents and official reports. It should be found less often in your writing.

In a passive sentence… The verb phrase always includes a form of be and the past participle of the main verb Were tricked Had been tricked Forgotten the forms of be? Thought you might have, so here is a handy reminder: am been was are being were be is